Vehicle wheel



1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 27,1926. i

" J. DE LOPATTO VEHICLE WHEEL Filed April 18,

m Vi .April 27 1926.

J. DE LOPATTO VEHI CLE WHEEL Filed April 18, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April27 1926.

J. DE LOPATTO VEHIGLE WHEEL Filed April 18, 1925 4 sheets-sheet 4Patented Apr. 27, 1926.

UNITED S'I'TESI PATENT FFI-CE.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

Applcationfiled April 18,,1925. 'SeriallNa 24,062.

To aZZ w/wm iz may concern..-

Be it known that I, JANvInn DE LorA'r'ro, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at lVashington, District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful lmprovements in V'ehicle lNheels, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This intention relates to new and useful improvements in vehicle wheelsgenerally, although more particularly to remov'able .rim fiangesthereof.

One of the principal object-s of my invention is to provide a. wheel rimhaving a reniovablev fiange which will permitv of the ready attachmentof a-tire or removal thereof without the necessity of einployingclamping lugs, bolts, and so forth, and which will require a minimumamount of effort and time.

Another object of lny invention lies in the provision of a detachablerim which may be employed with eitner a spoke wheel or e disk wheel.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will more readily appearas the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consistsin the novel construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed. i

ln the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two forms of myinvention,

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a vehicle wheel of the spoke typeequipped With my improved removable rim.

Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the rim moved to a position torelease the latches.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the plane of the wheeland showing the flange in its locked position on the rim.

Figure 5 is a similar view but showing the flange moved to a positionforreleasing the latch. v

Figure 6 is a similar view but sn'owing the flange moved to a positionon the rim whereby said fla-nge may be removed therefrom.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a disk wheel showing the application ofamodified form of my invention thereto.

Figure 8 is an .enlarged detail-sectional view taken on line 8-8 ofFigure 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing, the latch in fulllines in its looked position and in dottedlines the open positionthereof. v

Figure 10 is an enlarged' detail sectional view taken in the plane of-lthe wheel and showing the flangein its looked position relativetoithe'rim.

Figure 11 isa similar view'but showing the flange' moved. toa positionwhereby the latch is released.

Figure 12 is a; similar view but showing the flangeiin a position onlthe rim to be readily removed therefrom, and

Figure 13 is an enlargedl detailed sectional view taken on the line-13-13-ofFigure 10.

Like' numerals designateV4 corresponding parts throughout-all figures ofthe drawings.

teferring'to the arccompanying drawings, andparticularly to Figures 1 to-6I thereof, I have illustratedv a-wheel A77 of the spoke type. This'wheel includes a fellyl 5 which may be' of any'su'itable constructionand fixedly secured to thisl felly by bolts or. the like iswa:V rim 6having the usualintegral inner -flange 7 arranged in the general planeof the wheel.v A removable-flange 8l isy associated with the rim 6 forthe purpose'of cooperati'ng,.withA the flange 7 for seen-ring a tirecasing 9 therebetween.

The'rim 6 is formed-with a plurality of laterally extending. projections10 which are spaced apart for receiving the. latches 11. They rimlprojections 10 are respectvely formed'in their outer faceswithciroumferential grooves12, as particularly shown in Figures 2 and 6.Theflange 8 is formed with a pluralityofspaced and inwardly eX- tendingtongues 13, thel lengt-hs of the respectivetongues being slightly lessthan the width of the Spaces between the rim projections 10. The grooves12'are dove-tailed in cross-section andthe tongues 13 arecorrespondingly shaped and are freely slidable therein. The latches 11are each pivoted at one end as Kat *14 to one end of arim projection 10,and the length of the latch is such as to' fit within the correspondingspace between said rim projections. These latches 11, when in theirlocked positions, as shown particularly in'Figure 4, form a continuationof thev project-ions 10,v the outer faces of the latches beingrespectively formed With circumferentially extending grooves 15 whichcorrespond in cross-section to the: grooves 12 of said projections.VVhen the latches 11 are in their locked positions the grooves 15thereof 'align With the grooves 12 and consequently the tongues 13 ofthe fiange 8 may have free sliding contact relative thereto. Slidablymounted in the latch grooves 15 are locking pins 1111, their endwisemovements being limited by screws 11h carried by the pins and havingreduced extensions 11 which engage in the grooves11 1 formed in theinner face of the iange 8.

In operation, assuming that it is desirable to attach the removableflange 8 to the rim, said flange is positioned on the rim whereby thelooking tongues 13 are respectively disposed intermediate the spaced rimprojections 10, and said flange is then shifted rearwardly toward theback flange 7. This initial position of the flange is shown particularlyin Figure 6, the latches 11, of course, being swung toward the center-ofthe wheel as shown in Figure 2. The flange 8 is then movedcircumferentially in the direction in; dicated by the arrow in Figure 5,the tongues 13 of the fiange moving into the grooves 12 of the rimprojections. Thus the spacesbetween the tongues 13 registered with thespaces between the rim projections 10 and consequently the latches 11are free to be positioned within said spaces whereby the grooves 15 ofsaid latches will align with the grooves 12 of the rim projections. Theflange 3 is then moved circumferentially in the opposite direction, thatis, in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 4, thus causingthe ends of the tongues of the fiange to be moved into the adjacent endsof the grooves 15 of the latches. The tongues are thereby caused to movethe locking pins 11a endwise to bridge the same across the hinges of thelatches, a part of each pin entering the groove 12 of the adjacent rimprojection and the other part remaining in the latch groove 15. Thussaid latches are retained against accidental movement. rllhis positionof the tongues 12 retains the latches 11 in their locked position andthereby prevents said tongues 12 from registering with the spacesbetween the rim projections 10 and consequently said flange ispositively retained in interlocking engagement with said rim.

In order to prevent the detachable flange 8 from creeping, I haveprovided said latches 11 with radially eztending lugs 16 which projectin front of the fla-nge 8 and serve as stops for pins 17 fixedly Securedto said fiange. Thus the wheel rotating in the direction of the arrowshown in Figure 1 will vcause said pins 17 to contact with the lugs 16and thereby prevent circumferential movement of the flang'e 8 in onedirection relative to said rim.

In order to insure the grooves 15 of the latches 11 aligning with thegrooves 12 of the rim projections, I have undercut the ends of theprojections 10 adjacent the free ends of the latches, as shown by 18,and have correspon-dingly shaped said adjacent ends of the latches 11.

In the construction .shown in Figures 7 to 13, I have illustrated awheel B of the disk type and have applied by invention thereto. In thisform the wheel is provided with an outwardly dished disk 19 andconsequently I have pivotally connected the latches 20 to the rimprojections 21 of the rim 22, by means of pivots 20LL which are inclinedto the vertical so as to permit said latches when being moved from theirlooked positions to swing upwardly as well as invardiy and thereby clearthe dished portion of the disk 19. rI'he latches 20 are formed in theirouter peripheral faces with circumferential grooves 23 which aredove-tailed in cross sectional shape. Slidably mounted in each groove isa locking pin 24. Each pin is mounted for limited endwise movementsthrough the medium of a screw 25 which extends radially of the latch andis provided with a reduced extension 26 which iits within a groove 27formed in the latch 20. It will be noted that the length of the groove27' is comparatively short relative to the length of the latch andconsequently a limited endwise movement of the. looking pin 24 isobtained.

Furthermore, the looking pins 24 extend above the grooves 23 of thelatches to form projecting tongues which Vrespectively fitwithincorrespondingly Shaped circumferential grooves 28 formed in theremovable flanges 29 between the spaced tongues 30 thereof.

Inasmuch as all of the other parts of this second construction aresimilar to the corresponding parts in the struct-ure first described, itis thought to be unnecessary to repeat the description.

Therefore, in operation of this second form of my invention, when it isdesired to apply the flange 29, the latches 20 are first moved inwardlyto the position shown in Figure 7, the inclined pivots 201 permittingthe latches to clear the disc 19. rFhe flange is then positioned on therim so that the spaced tongues 30 fit between the rim projections 21 andalign with the circumferential grooves 31 of the rim projections 21.rllhe flange 29 is then moved toward the left as indicated by the arrowin Figure 11, and the latches 20 are then swung into the Spaces betweenthe rim projections, the projecting portions of the looking pins 24being simultaneously positioned to have interlocking engagement with theremovable fiange 29 through the medium of the grooves 28. The flange 29is then moved circumferentially in the opposite direction and thismovement causes the tongues 30 to engage the looking pins-24 ofthelatches and move said pins so as to project their opposite ends into theadjacent grooves 31 of the rim projections, the looking pins 24 therebybridging the adjacent free ends of the latches 20 and the adjacent endsof the rim projections. Therefore, the extent of movement of the lookingpin in its looking engagement with the rim proj ectons is limited by thescrew 25 and the coop'erating groove 27.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a wheelembodying either the spoke or disk typevwith'a detachable fiange whichmay be readily removed or placed in position without the aid of anyspecific tools and which can be so manipulated with a minimum amount ofeffort and time.

Havingthus described my invention what I claim as new is 1- 1. In awheel, the combination with a rim, of a removable flangecircumferentially movable on said rim inV one direction for interlookingengagement therewith, and latches pivoted to said rim for interlockingengagementwith said flange upon circumferential movement thereof in theopposite direction,

2. In a wheel, the combination with a rim, of a removable flangecircumferentially movable on said rim in one direction for interlookingengagement therewith, latches pivoted to said rim for interlockingengagement with said flange upon circumferential movement thereof in theopposite direction, and a stop fixed to said flange to limit thecircumferential movement of the flange in said opposite direction.

3. In a wheel, the combination with a rim, of a removable fiangecircumferentially movable on said rim in one direction for interlookingengagement therewith, latches pivoted to said rims for interlockingengagement with said flange upon circumferential movement thereof in theopposite direction, said latches being pivoted upon axes substantiallyparallel With the axis of the rim whereby said latches will swinginwardly towards said aXis of the rim.

4:. In a wheel, the combination wit-h a rim having spaced lateralprojections formed with aligned peripheral grooves extendingcircumferentially of said rim, of a flange removably mounted on said rimfor circumferential movements relative thereto and having spaced tonguesextending inwardly therefrom for interlocking connection with thegrooves of said rim projections upon circumferential movement of saidflange in one direction, and latches pivotally connected to said rim andrespectively movable into the spaces between the rim projections forinterlooking engagement with said flange upon circumferential movementthereof in the opposite direction.

5. In a wheel, the combination with a rim having spaced lateralprojections formed With aligned peripheral grooves extendingcircumferentially of said rim, of a flange removably mounted on said rimfor circumferential movements relative thereto and having spacedtonguesv extending inwardly therefrom for interlocking connection withthe grooves of said rim projections upon circumferential movement ofsaid flange in one direction, and latches pivotally connected to saidrim and respectively movable into the spacesV between the rimprojections for interlocking engagement with said flange uponcircumferential movement thereof in the opposite direction, said latchesbeing respectively formed in their outer faces with circumferentialgrooves for receiving the tongues of said rim.

6; In a wheel, the combination with a rim having spaced lateralprojections formed With aligned peripheral grooves extendingcircumferentially of said rim, of a fiange removably mounted on said rimfor circumferential movements relative thereto and having spaced tonguesextending inwardly therefrom for interlocking connection with thegrooves of said rim projections upon circumferential movement of saidflange in one direction, and latches pivotally connected to said rim andrespectively movable into the 'Spaces between the rim projections forinterlocking engagement with said flange upon circumferential movementthereof in the opposite direction, said latches being respectvely formedin their outer faces with circumferential grooves for receiving thetongues of said rim, all of said tongues and grooves being dove-tailedin cross-section.

7. In a wheel, the combination with a rim having spaced lateralprojections formed with aligned peripheral grooves extendingcircumferentially of said rim, of a. flange removably mounted on saidrim for circumferential movements relative thereto I and having spacedtongues extending inwardly therefrom for interlocking connection withthe grooves of said rim proj ections upon circumferential movement ofsaid fiange in one direction, and latches pivotally connected to saidrim and respectively movable into the spaces between the rim projectionsfor interlooking engagement with said fiange upon circumferentialmovement thereof in the opposite directiong the free -ends of saidlatches and the adjacent ends of the rim projections being shaped toretain said latches against outward lateral movement.

8. In a wheel, the combination With a rim having spaced lateralprojections formed with aligned peripheral grooves extendingcircumferentially of said rim, of a fiange removabltT mounted on saidrim for circumferential movements relative thereto and having spacedtongues extending inwardly therefrom for interlocking connection withthe grooves of said rim projections upon circumferential movement ofsaid fiange in one direction, the lengths of the respective tonguesbeing slightly less than the respective Spaces between said rimprojections, and Iatches pivotally connected to said rim andrespectiveiy movable into the spaces between the rim projections forinterlocking engagement with said flanp'e upon circumferential movementthereof in the opposite direction.

9. in a wheel, the combination With a rim having spaced lateraiprojections formed with aiigned peripheral grooves extendingcircumferentially of said rim, of a fiange removabiy mounted on said rimfor circumferentiai movements relative thereto and having spaced tongnesextending inwardly therefrom for interlocking connection with thegrooves of said rim projections upon circumferential movement of saidflange in one direction, and iatches pivotally connected to said rim andrespectively movable into vthe Spaces between the rim projections forlinterlockingengagement with said flange upon circumferential movementthereof in the opposite direction, said latches beingI respectiveiyformed in their outer faces with circumferential grooves for receiving'the tongues of said rim, a radiaily extending lug carried by one of saidlatches and an outwardly extending pin iii-:ed to the flange forengagement with said ing to limit the circumferential movement of saidrim in one direction.

10. The combination With a Wheel including a rim and an outwardly disheddisk, said rim having spaced lateral projections formed with aiignedperipheral grooves extendinlgI circumferentially of saidrim, of a fiangeremovably mounted on said rim for circumferential movements relativethereto and having spaced tongues eXt-ending inwardiy therefrom forinterlockng connection with the grooves of said rim projections uponcircumferential movement of said fiange in one direction, said flangebeing formed with circumferential grooves respectively disposed betweenthe inwardiy extending tongues, and latches pivotally connected to saidrim and respectively movable into the space between'the rim projectionsfor interlocking engagement with Said flange upon circumferentialmovement there-- of in the opposite direction, said latches beingrespeetiveiy formed in their outer faces with circumferential grooves,andV looking pins siidably mounted in said latch grooves and movabieinto said grooves of said rim progfections during the circumferentialmovement of the flange in said opposite direction. i

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

JANVIER DE LOPATTO.

